Call 609-890-9800 to register

The following programs are scheduled in October at the Mercer County Connection, located at 957 Route 33 in the Hamilton Square Shopping Center. Programs are free but registration is required.

Notary Oath Filing. Thursday, Oct. 3, 3 to 7:30 p.m. The Mercer County Clerk sends staff to County Connection monthly to swear in new and renewing New Jersey notaries. The cost is $15 and payment can be made via check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. No cash is accepted.

Foreclosure Counseling: Affordable Housing Alliance. Monday, Oct. 7, 1 to 4 p.m. Having trouble with your mortgage can negatively affect your mood, stress levels, interpersonal relationships, children and health. Don’t ignore the situation. Affordable Housing Alliance will have HUD-certified counselors you can meet with to find out your options. Call 732-389-2958 to schedule an appointment or walk in the first Monday of every month.

Mercer County Bar Association Free Legal Clinic. Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:30 to 7 p.m. This free 15-minute consultation with an attorney is sponsored by Lawyers C.A.R.E. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak to an Attorney. Attorneys will answer questions regarding family law, real estate law, landlord/tenant law, personal injury law, wills and estates, bankruptcy, criminal law and municipal court law.

Wills & Power of Attorney. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Is your estate in order? Planning for incapacity is an important and often overlooked part of estate planning that covers how you are cared for if you become physically or mentally unable to care for yourself. This seminar will discuss planning tools to use to ensure that decision-making related to property of personal care can proceed without unnecessary disruption. Guest speaker will be Susan Knispel, project director for the Mercer County Legal Services Project for the Elderly.

Learn How to Use Medicare Plan Finder. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m. or Wednesday, Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Learn how to select the most cost-effective drug plan for your medications. Compare drug insurance companies, premiums, deductibles and pricing. Presented by the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a statewide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services with financial assistance through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL).

Recurring Events...

State Health Insurance Assistance Program. A volunteer counselor is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment only. SHIP volunteer counselors provide free assistance to NJ Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about, their Medicare insurance and supplemental insurance. Call 609-890-9800 for an appointment. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is the time of year when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. Medicare Supplemental Plans (Medigaps) can be changed anytime. Open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7; changes made during this period will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a stand-alone Part D (Prescription Drug) plan, read your plan’s notices. These notices list any changes for your plan in 2020.

Upcoming Events…

Interfaith Caregivers. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Pre-Planning for Final Arrangements (end of life issues). Tuesday, Nov. 12, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
What’s on a Food Label? Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.